For decades, Canadian mining operations have wreaked havoc in developing countries. Villages have been razed, water supplies poisoned and allegations of rape – even murder – have emerged. But finally there is hope for a way out. Could a new avenue for justice lead to a brighter future for all of our mines?

TORONTO – Five Canadian diplomats and their families filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging the Canadian government failrf to sufficiently deal with the mysterious brain injuries that they suffered while posted to the embassy in Cuba and actively interfered with their ability to seek medical care.

“Throughout the crisis, Canada downplayed the seriousness of the situation, hoarded and concealed critical health and safety information, and gave false, misleading and incomplete information to diplomatic staff,” the statement of claim alleged.

…

At a news conference Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “There’s no question that the health impacts on diplomats in Cuba have been visible and real.”

…

Why Canada kept its diplomats in place even as the United States was evacuating its own is one of the questions at the center of the lawsuit, said John Kingman Phillips, a lawyer representing some of the plaintiffs.

“The stakes are the degree to which Canada will step up, protect and keep from harm our diplomats at their postings,” he said.

Fourteen plaintiffs, consisting of Canadian diplomats and their family members who were posted to Havana, Cuba, have suffered brain injuries, which are now referred to as “Havana Syndrome”. They are suing the government for failing to protect them and for putting them in harm’s way.

The Supreme Court of Canada has granted leave to intervene to the International Human Rights Program, University of Toronto Faculty of Law (“IHRP”) in the case of Araya v. Nevsun. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case, which is regarding allegations of forced labour and slavery at a Canadian-owned mine in Eritrea, on January 23, 2019. The IHRP is represented by Cory Wanless of Waddell Phillips, and Professor Audrey Macklin of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.

On November 16, 2018, the Toronto Star reported on a civil rights lawsuit brought by Reece Maxwell-Crawford against the TTC and Toronto Police regarding a violent attack by TTC fare inspectors. John Phillips and Cory Wanless of Waddell Phillips represent the Plaintiff Reece Maxwell-Crawford.